Bridging Tangible and Intangible: A Pedagogical Model for Mediterranean Cities in Architectural Education

Abstract

This study examines an innovative pedagogical approach tested through the course "Mediterranean Cities: Realities vs. Representations" at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AAST) in Cairo, Egypt, from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023. Involving about 20 students per semester in 4–5 groups, the course explored 16 Mediterranean cities—Naples, Crete Island, Benghazi, Marseille, Oran, Mallorca, Istanbul, Barcelona, Venice, Athens, Valencia, Tunis, Algiers, Palermo, Rome, and Latakia—using a multidisciplinary lens. It blended tangible elements (e.g., urban morphology, architecture) with intangible aspects (e.g., cuisine, literature, cinema) through lectures, group studies, and experiential outputs like fashion mannequins, virtual reality (VR) tours, and cultural booths. A qualitative analysis of student work over three semesters reveals improved understanding of urban and sociocultural dynamics, proposing a framework for transdisciplinary architectural education that enhances critical thinking and cultural engagement across diverse regions.